Is it possible to lose postpartum weight without going to the gym?

[user666555]

Hi,

So the dreaded postpartum tum isn't shifting. I'm 6 months PP. I've always been a size 6/8 and am now a 10 (if I'm pushing it) or a 12 (comfortable fit). I've never been bigger than a size 8 prior to having my DD so it's a BIG change for me.

It's not so much the size that bothers me. It's the fact that I feel as though I still look about 4/5 months pregnant due to my belly.

Gym isn't really an option for me due to numerous reasons - but I can't seem to feel comfortable with how my belly looks.

Is it possible to shift the mum tum without going to the gym?

I'm also insecure about how much weight I now carry on my face but it's the tummy that really bothers me :(

Any tips?

without going for the gym yes but without exercising at all difficult

I haven’t been to the gym since I was first pregnant, 11 years ago. But have been out regularly running which was great for shifting the baby weight and also fixing the buggered pelvic floor

Have you checked for diastasis recti?

@MidnightPatrol what's that sorry and how do I check? Never heard of that (I'll have a Google in a moment)

I did.

80% of weight loss is diet so that doesn't require a gym.

I walked a lot with the pushchair - we are hilly here so great workout.

Also plenty of free/subscription fitness classes online.

I also tried and failed to do some classes near me - Zumba, yoga but these were very sporadic.

I've recently bought a peloton which I look at occasionally.

I had my daughter 2 years ago and I’m only just starting to shift it. I was always an 8, went to a 12 and now a 10 again after a couple of months of exercise and diet. Gym isn’t an option for me either so what I do is

• lots of walking with dd
• using the nutracheck app to count calories
• exercise bike 4 times a week
• ring fit or yoga 4 times a week

Dieting alone made me lose weight but not shift my tummy/thighs. I’ve noticed a bug difference following this

Thanks @Clearinguptheclutter @goingdownfighting and @Daisymae55

How long should I walk for? Would an hour long walk help? I think my diet could be better too tbh. I think I've been choosing the easy option when it comes to diet for convenience during the newborn trenches.

I do think I may have the diastatis recti. Would the doctor be able to tell me if I defo have it? @MidnightPatrol

Walk.

Put baby in pram and walk for afternoon nap. Fresh air for everyone, exercise and baby entertainment if they won’t nap.

This.

I didn't have access to a car for my first maternity leave so everything I did, I either walked or got public transport.

I walked at least two miles most days and the weight loss was easy.

Obviously what you eat is a big factor too, but I was just eating normally.

*Disclaimer - despite DC1 being 8.5lbs, I didn't put on a huge amount in pregnancy so after birth I had less than a stone to lose.

I teach postnatal fitness. You may want to see a physio to check for diastatis recti - this will impact what kind of exercise you can do and whether you need to specifically work on that core area (carefully under supervision of an expert).

6 months is still early days so don’t be disheartened. It just takes time. Walking is fantastic and hopefully the weather will improve.

If the gym isn’t an option (and it doesn’t need to be) there may be some good Mum and baby fitness classes? With exercise it’s just a case of finding what you like. For some it’s spin classes others Pilates. But if all you fancy is walking at the moment that is great too.

I’ve seen your update - GPs aren’t great with this, a physio who specialises in postnatal care would be your best bet.

Sorry OP but while walking is better than slobbing on the sofa, it doesn’t burn many calories. You don’t have to go to a gym (many people hate gyms) but you meed to get your heart rate up and do toning exercises too. And sort your diet. It’s tough but worth it and shouldn’t take too long.

I walked miles after my first baby. No car, no computers or online shopping, not possible to get pram on a bus. By 8 months I was thinner than pre-pregnancy. Breast feeding and not having time to eat much probably also helped. I look back and wonder how I did it tbh.

You dont t have to go to the gym but you should watch what you eat and take some sort of exercise
I lost all my pregnancy weight through walking and watching what I ate. I wasn’t too strict with my diet
I just put my dcs in a pushchair and walked four miles four times a week

An hour is great if you can. Get some errands done as well if you can. Take a flask of coffee and go to the park if you have a decent one near you. It's great time with the little one.

I signed up for an app to do excercises for diastasis recti. It was about $50 per 3 months.

Can't remember which one now but google will have some options!

It didn't fully ho away till I took up Kung fu though and started doing the full on core building exercises they tell you to stay away from initially (and I think there's maybe still a tiny soft area around the belly button, 4 years on).

@HcbSS - I lost 20kg within 4 months of having baby. From just walking. Baby wouldn’t be put down at all so was in sling at home or out in sling or pram for hours some days. Plus breastfeeding every 45mins. I was then underweight and had to try walking less fast

An hour’s walk a day pushing a pram could be a good start
Also look into pp fitness classes, not always at a gym. You take your baby with you.

No gym here. It took me over a year to totally lose the baby weight, and honestly it wasn't until after my milk dried up that the last of it went.

TBH I didn't really try to lose it (other things took priority), but it was a combination of stopping BFing, eating smaller portions, and getting out for loooong walks that did it. If it hadn't I would have done some form of proper exersizes in addition to all this. Probably still not at the gym though 😅